Islamic State

Question 1

When did the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/Daesh) emerge in the public eye?

Answer 1

In 2014, when it swiftly conquered territory in Iraq and carried out high-profile atrocities.

Question 2

How did the Islamic State differ in its origins from al-Qaeda?

Answer 2

The Islamic State emerged from the anti-American struggle in Iraq post-2003.

Question 3

How did Abu Musab al-Zarqawi gain notoriety?

Answer 3

Through exceptional brutality, including personally beheading hostages and distributing the videos online.

This electrified a small number of Muslims, inspiring them to join the fight in Iraq.

Question 4

How did Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and bin Laden’s al-Qaeda differ in their treatment of Shia Muslims?

Answer 4

AQI under Zarqawi viewed Shia Muslims as the primary enemy, worse than Americans, while bin Laden prioritized fighting Americans in Iraq.

Question 5

What was bin Laden’s approach to Iraqi civilians, and how did it differ from Zarqawi’s?

Answer 5

Bin Laden urged caution and respect toward civilians to win them over, while Zarqawi’s AQI believed in using terror and intimidation to control them.

Question 6

How did AQI aim to gain Sunni Muslim support?

Answer 6

By provoking Shia retaliation and sectarian violence, AQI aimed to position itself as the Sunni community’s defender.

Question 7

How did the US policy toward local communities change during the 2005–2006 surge?

Answer 7

The US began working with and defending local communities, providing protection against threats from al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Shia government.

Question 8

How did the US presence change Sunni community behavior during the surge?

Answer 8

Communities began turning on jihadist groups, identifying outsiders, and helping US forces target al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Question 9

What was the impact of US collaboration with Sunni communities on al-Qaeda in Iraq?

Answer 9

Al-Qaeda in Iraq lost 70-80% of its leadership, with US leaders declaring it near strategic defeat by the end of the decade.

Question 10

Why did Zarqawi view the United States as an enemy?

Answer 10

He believed the U.S. was backing the Shia government in Iraq, making it an enemy of true (Sunni) Muslims.

His focus was primarily on Iraq and its sectarian and political issues rather than on attacking the U.S. or Europe.

Question 11

How did the Syrian regime inadvertently help jihadist movements?

Answer 11

The Syrian regime, facing protests, released jihadists from prison to frame the opposition as radical, thus rallying support from minority groups and allowing jihadists to organize with relative impunity.

Question 12

Why was the Islamic State able to revive itself?

Answer 12

The Islamic State revived due to changes in Iraq and Syria, including political shifts, alienation of Sunni communities, and the rise of unrest and civil war in Syria.

Question 13

How did the conflict in Syria contribute to the Islamic State’s growth?

Answer 13

The Syrian civil war attracted foreign fighters, with over 30,000 joining jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria, providing energy and support to the Islamic State’s resurgence.

Question 14

What similarities did Iraq and Syria share that supported the Islamic State’s narrative?

Answer 14

Both countries had minority governments (Shia-linked in Iraq, Alawite in Syria), creating a narrative of Sunni persecution that resonated with jihadist groups.

Question 15

Why did Jabhat al-Nusra become important in the jihadist movement?

Answer 15

Syria became the central battlefield for jihad, attracting foreign fighters, money, and influence.

Question 16

When did the Islamic State split from Jabhat al-Nusra?

Answer 16

In late 2013 and early 2014, after tensions between the groups escalated. The Islamic State emerged as the stronger faction.

Question 17

What event in 2014 led to U.S. intervention against ISIS?

Answer 17

ISIS’s rapid territorial expansion, including the conquest of Mosul and atrocities against the Yazidis.

Question 18

How did ISIS expand beyond Iraq and Syria?

Answer 18

It established “provinces” in Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan, and other regions, with affiliated groups carrying out attacks.

Question 19

What tactic did ISIS-affiliated groups use to gain notoriety?

Answer 19

They carried out atrocities, including beheadings and terrorist attacks, to spread fear and influence.

Question 20

What group did the Islamic State target with atrocities, including mass killings and enslavement?

Answer 20

The Yazidis, thousands of whom were murdered or forced into slavery.

Question 21

What significant declaration did the Islamic State make in 2014?

Answer 21

It declared a caliphate, claiming authority over all Muslims worldwide.

Question 22

What action did the U.S. and other countries take in response to the Islamic State’s actions?

Answer 22

They launched airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions in Iraq.

Question 23

How did the Islamic State respond to U.S. airstrikes?

Answer 23

It executed American and British hostages, releasing beheading videos to spread fear.

Question 24

How many foreign fighters joined the Islamic State?

Answer 24

Over 40,000 from more than 100 countries, drawn by propaganda and the caliphate’s appeal.

Question 25

What other jihadist groups aligned with the Islamic State?

Answer 25

Groups in Libya, Sinai, and Boko Haram in Nigeria pledged allegiance, expanding its influence.

Question 26

What is one of the key motivations behind the Islamic State’s actions?

Answer 26

Defending what it sees as innocent Muslims from the Assad regime’s atrocities.

Question 27

How does the Islamic State use sectarianism in its messaging?

Answer 27

It portrays itself as defending Sunni Muslims against a “Shia crescent” that includes the Assad regime, Baghdad government, Iran, and Hezbollah.

Question 28

Besides fighting Shia groups, what other group does the Islamic State target?

Answer 28

It purges Sunni Muslims it considers “false,” such as Sufis and those who work with enemy regimes.